Randy James Cripe

Randy James Cripe, age 70, passed away on Tuesday, October 15th in Idaho Falls, ID at the home of family surrounded by loving family members.
Born on December 30th, 1953 at St. Mary's Hospital on Wood St in Decatur, Illinois, to Floyd Cripe and Evelyn Marcella Boggs Cripe, the youngest of their four children. He spent his childhood on the outskirts of Blue Mound, IL. His father worked at the BorgWarner factory in Decatur, after trying his hand at farming. From his youth, Randy had an avid love for tractors and farm equipment and enjoyed going to the State Fair every year with his family. He graduated from Blue Mound High School, and in 1974 he graduated from Lincoln Land Community College. On August 18th, 1972, he married Cynthia Diane Buis of Decatur, Illinois. They met on a blind date arranged by mutual friends. They divorced in 1990. Randy and Diane had 6 children together. They lived in Decatur, Illinois, near Henderson, Texas, and near Perry, Missouri, where Randy worked at tractor dealerships as a tractor mechanic. Later, he worked for many years at the Parks and Recreation Dept. for the City of Mexico, Missouri, and at Orscheln, a farm and home store.
Though he was never able to fulfill his dream of running his own farm, he loved owning acreage while living in Perry. He used his beloved John Deere Model B tractor to make a very large garden on the five acres there, much to his family's chagrin.
He also pursued his passion for tractors through his lifelong hobby of buying and selling toy tractors. His children recall fond memories of early weekend mornings loading up his truck and heading to tractor toy shows, where they were easily bribed to help man the booth with treats and stickers. Even in his last days, Randy found great joy in selling toy tractors online and maintaining a booth in Missouri with the help of kind friends.
Randy lived in Mexico, Missouri, for 33 years. During these years, Randy developed close and loving relationships with dear friends, who supported and helped him in many areas. His family continues to be grateful to these angels in his life, who added so much joy and fulfillment to his life and made so many of his hobbies possible, even as his health declined.
Randy spent the last year of his life living with his son in Idaho Falls, ID, where he was able to be closer to children and grandchildren. His final months were spent with a constant influx of children singing to him, kitties curling up with him while he watched Andy Griffith reruns, and numerous dogs, visitors, and caregivers.
Randy is survived by his children, Ben (Linda) Cripe of Idaho Falls, ID, Justin (Tara) Cripe of Taylorsville, UT, Megan (Brooks) Haroldsen of Kansas City, MO, Melinda (Danny) Campbell of Idaho Falls, ID, Haley (Hank) Bingham of Shelley, ID, Phillip Cripe of Pocatello, ID, sister Kay Glass of Longview, TX, brother Richard Cripe of Sullivan, IL, plus 26 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and by his sister Christine (Bill) Baggett.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and by his sister Christine (Bill) Baggett.
A graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, October 25, 2024, at Fielding Memorial Park.
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